Steering-knuckle construction for vehicles



R. M. LOVEJOY STEERING KNUCKLE CONSTRUCTION FOR VEHICLES Feb. 5, 1924.

Filed Feb. 6. 1922 Inven orpf Ralph MLM/@joy AHol'n eys.

Patented Feb. 5, 1924.

RALPH M. LOVEJOY, 0F MEREDITH, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

STEERING-KNUCKLE CONSTRUCTION FOR VEHICLES.

Application led February 6, 1922. Serial No. 534,451.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, RALPH M. LovEJoY, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Meredith, county of Belknap, State of New Hampshire, have invented an Improvement in Steering-Knuckle Constructions for Vehicles, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to improvements in steering knuckle construction for vehicles, particularly for automobiles, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a novel steering knuckle and suitable means foil` connecting the same with the vehicle ax e.

Another feature of the invention consists in providinga steering knuckle construction with means for supplying a lubricant'thereto and means for preventing the escape of the lubricant from the bearings of the knuckle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a steering knuckle construction in which a steering knuckle is provided with, preferably, integral trunnions and is secured to the axle of the vehicle by separable yoke members which permit the assembling and dismantling of the steering knuckle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a steering knuckle of the character described with yoke members onel of vwhich is provided witha bodyportion adapted to embrace or enclose the end porion of the vehicle axle, the other member eing secured by suitable means to the axle, or preferably to the first mentioned yoke member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a steering knuckle having integral therewith a wheel spindle and also means, preferably an annular flange, to 'which the disk of a brake mechanism may be secured. The latter construction is particularly de'- signed for use in connection with a front wheel braking mechanism, such, for examle, as is disclosed in my prior application Ierial Number 475,912, filed June 8, 1921.

Other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description and the annexed drawings and will be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a steering knuckle construction as applied to the axle of a vehicle,

the wheel which is assembled thereon being provided with' a suitable brake mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view showing in vertical section the end portion of the upper yoke member, the thimble socket for the trunnion of the steering knuckle and the trunnion seated therein;

- Fig'. 3 is an enlarged detail view in Vertical section of the end portion of the lower yoke member and the trunnion socket journalled therein; and,

-Fig.'4 is a perspective view showing the portions of the yoke members which are secured to the axle in unassembled position.-

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated herein the steering knuckle comprises a post 1 having integral therewith awheel spindle 2 and provided with trunnions 8 and 4 adapted to be seated respectively in suitable journals or sockets vin the arms 5 and 6 of a yoke member which is connected to the vehicle axle. A lubricant conduit 7 extends, preferably axially, through the post and its trunnions. The trunnions may be journalled in suitable sockets in the arms 5 and 6 of the yoke members. Preferably, thimble sockets are provided which are so constructed as to prevent-the escape ofthe lubricant from the journals in which the trunnions are mounted.

As illustrated particularly in Fig. 2, the upper trunnion socket comprises a cupshaped thimble 8 which is forced tightly intol a suitable aperture 9 in the end of the yoke arm 5 and is provided at its lower end with a flanged portion 1() formin the escape of the lubricant. The base portion of the thimble 8 is closed except for a central aperture 11 which communicates with the lubricant conduit 7. The upper portion of the thimble socket is provided an enlarged mouth `to receive a packing or preventing col with a tubular extension 12 providing a lubricant receptacle and the lubricant is retained therein by means of a cap 18 having a screw threaded periphery engaging complementary screw. threads in the inner wall of the receptacle thus formed.

An anti-friction member, such as a hardened steel disk 14, is interposed between the base of the thimble socket and the end of the trunnion. The anti-friction disk 14 is provided with a central aperture communieating with the aperture 11 in the base of the thimble socket and with the conduit, and

v, which are compressed by a retaining ring 18 having a beveled face 19 which engages the packing. The ring 18 desirably is provided with a knurled periphery and is forced into the mouth portion of the thimble socket under pressure, thus compressing the packing andy forcing it-re'adil toward the trunnion. A preferably metal ic washer 20, which is seated upon theshoulder of the mouth portion, overlies the endl of the bushing and' preventsl the `-packing from' being squeezed "between the bushing and the wall of the thimble. By reason of this construct-ion the constant absorption of lubricant by the packing ring causes sufficient expansion to holdithe packing tightly in contact with the bushing and prevent the escape of lubricant from the bearing. y

The bearing for the lower trunnion-fi (see Fig. 3), is constru'cted'in substantially the same manner as thatfabove described' and comprises a cup-shaped thimble'f socket 21 having a" closedlbottom 22' and a iianged upper end 23 rovid'ing a mouth to receive the`packing. bushing 24'is placedin the thimble socket to engage' the trunnion and aA thrust member or disk 25,'hafving a' central opening communicating` with the conduit 7 and providedwith preferably radial channels leading to the bushing, is interposed between the end of the thrust memberand the base 22 of the thiin'ble bushing.- A fibrous packing 26,' preferably of cork washers, is placed' in the' mouth of the thimble bushing andis compressed therein by a retaining ring2'7, similar to the retain ing ring 18, a washer 28 being interposed between the packing and the end of the bushing 24 toprevent the fibrous material from being forced between the bushingv and the wall ofthe'thimble socket. ',lhe ends ofthe trunnions desirably are rounded' so that they maybe inserted'into the thimble sockets after the packing has been compressedtherein as aforesaid without shearing the fibrous packing.

A further feature of the invention consists in .providing separable yoke members which are'adapt'ed tobe securedlupon,and preferably toembrace,` the vehicle/axle; A

tdb'ulaifaxle, preferably; of cylindrical form,

desiably' is employed 5 in' i order toobtain they greatest strength with a minimum amount of material In the construction-illustrated herein the yoke members`5 and 6 are provided respectively with base portions 29 and 30 which embrace the end portion of the tubular vehicle axle 31. The base 29 of the yoke member 5, in the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated herein, is of cylindricalform and telescopically fits upon the end portion of the axle 31 and is secured thereto by rivets 32, or other suitable fastenings. This base member is provided with lateral flanges 33, preferably extending longitudinally thereof, in approximately the hoizontal plane of the axis of the vehicle ax e.

The base 30 of the other yoke member presents a concave face 34 adapted to fit the under`- cylindrical face of the base member 29 andy is provided with flanges 35 adapted to-be *clampedl against the flanges 33 by bolts 36, orv other suitable fastenings. Preferably the body portion of the lower member is providedv with recesses to avoid contact with the rivets which connect the under-portion'o'f'the base o'f the upper yoke member to the vehicle axle. The usual chairs 37 for the vehicle spring 38 may be secured to the tubular axles by rivets, or other suitablev fastenings..

By reason of the construction above described the steering knuckle vconstruction can bet conveniently? matie -and assembled as the steering knuckle m'ayrbe fOrged in one piece and therespe'ctive yoke arms-may also be readilyy forged and the apertures to receive the thim'ble sockets drilled therein; The thimbles can be drop-forged'and'pressedfinto the aperturesin the' ends of'v the arms by a suitable mandrel actuated by hydraulic pressure or otherwise. The bushings, washers and packing may then bel assembledin the thimble socket and lthe. anti-friction membei' placed in thebottom ofthe socket. The upper trunnion may then be forced into its socket inthe upper yoke arm andthe base of said yoke armftelescopically fitted upon and securedto the axle. The socket of the lower yoke arm may then be applied to the lower trunnion and the base of said armassembled upon the axle by thebolts 36 which pass through the flanges 33'a'nd 35;

In case of necessity of breakage or the necessity of; replacement, the yoke arms can be readily` dismantled and others substituted therefor.

Another feature of the inventionI consistslarged'basef portion of thet spindle.` TheA brake disk 40 may be rigidly secured to this to the hub of a Wheel 42 by bolts 43 preferably(l passing through the spokes of the Wheel. Thewheel hub 44 and the bearings interposed betweenA the same and the Spindle which are illustrated herein are of a,

novel construction comprising sets of roller bearings 45 and 46, the latter of which is retained in place by a conical retaining member 47 which is held inplace by a nut 4L8 upon the end of the axle.

It will be understood that the embodi ment of the invention disclosed herein is illustrative and .not restrictive and that various changes in form, construction and arrangement of parts may bemade Within the 'spirit and scope of the following claims.

Having 4thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: l

1. A! steering kinuck'le construction for vehicles com rising a steering knuckle having opposite y extending vtrunnions and a yoke formed in separable sections havinfr sockets for the respective' trunnions an complementary base portions surrounding the'vehicle axle, means for detachably securing one of said base sections to the axle and means for securing said base sections together.

2. A steering knuckle construction lfor vehicles comprising a steering knuckle having oppositely extending vtrunnions and a yoke formed in separable sections having arms provided With sockets to receive the respective trunnions and with complementary base portions to fit and surround the vehicle axle, means rigidly securing one of the base sections to the yoke of the vehicle axle and means for detachably securing the other base section to the section which is secured to the axle.

3. A steering knuckle construction for vehicles comprising a steerin knuckle hav-y ing trunnions, an oil con uit extending through said knuckle and its trunnions, a yoke formed in separable sections embracing and secured to the vehicle axler and having cup-shaped sockets to receive said trunmons, means for supplyinglubricant to the upper socket and to said conduit and antifriction thrust members interposed between' the ends of the trunnion'stand the bases of their respective sockets.'

4. A steering` knuckle construction for vehicles comprising a steerinknuckle having trunnions, an oil con uit extending through said knuckle and its trunnions, a yoke formed in separable sections embracing and secured to the vehicle axle and havin cup-shaped socket members to receive said trunnions, a reservoir integral with the upper socket memberl for supplying lubricant to the upper socket and to said conduit and anti-friction thrust members interposed between the ends of the trunnions and the bases of their respective socket members,

said thrust members having central apertures-communicating with said sockets and laterallyextending channels leading to the walls of said sockets.

" 5. A steering knuckle construction for vehicles comprising a steering knuckle having trunnions, an oil conduit extending through said knuckle and trunnions, a yoke havingI separable base sections embracing and secured to the axle of the vehicle and having trunnion sockets comprising cup-shaped thimbles, each having an enlarged mouth portion, a packing in said mouth portion and a packmg vretainer forcibly secured 1n said mouth portion providedwith a beveled face acting upon said packing to force the same toward the trunnion.

6. A steering knuckle construction for vehicles comprising a steering knuckle having trunnions, an oil conduit extending through said knuckle and trunnions, a yoke having separable base sections embracing and secured to the. axle of the vehicle and having trunnion lsockets comprising cupshaped lthimbles, each having an enlarged mouth portion, a rotatable .bushing in said thimble, a washer in said mouth portion overlying the end of said bushing,- a packin in said mouth portion and a packing retainer forcibly secured in said mouth portion provided with a beveled face actin upon said packing to force the same toward the trunnion.

7. lA steering knuckle construction for vehicles comprising a steering knuckle having oppositely extending'trunnions, a yoke formed of separableJ members each provided with an arm having a cup-shaped socket to receive a trunnion and one of saidV members havingl a cylindrical portion to surround the end portion of the vehicle axle and the other of said yoke members having a base formed to fit upon the cylindrical portion ofthe base member which surrounds the axle and means for detachably securing the base portions of said yoke members together.

' 8. A steering knuckle construction for vehicles comprising a steering knuckle having integral trunnions, a yoke having separable members provided with sockets to receive said trunnions, the upper of said yoke members having a tubular body portion adapted'to receive the end of a vehicle axle and to be rigidly secured thereto,'flanges ex'- tending laterally from/,Said tubular portion, the lower yoke member comprising a body having a surface complementaryto the under surface of the upper yoke member and provided with ianofes and means for securing the ianges of the upper and lower yoke members together.

9. A steering knuckle construction for ve- 'ihicles comprising a steering knuckle having oppositely extending trunnions and a separable yoke having its members adapted to embrace the vehicle axle and means for securing the same thereto, said yoke mem- MN bers being provided with arms having cup shaped sockets to receive said trunnions and having enlarged mouth portions, means for supplying a lubricant to thebearings of said trunnions and means in the. mouthportions le# of said sockets to prevent the escape of lubricant from said bearings.

1 0. A 4steering knuckle construction for vehicles comprising a steering knuckle having oppositely extending trunnions and a asf yoke formed in separable sections having its afbricant to the bearings for said trunnions and means for preventing the escape of lubricant from said bearings.

1l. A steering knuckle construction for vehicles comprising a steering knuckle having oppositely extending integral trunnions provided with an oil conduit extendingv ing flange to form a reservoir and having an aperture leading. from said reservoir through the base of said socket to the trunnion conduit, the lower portion of said thimble socket being provided with anl enlarged mouth, a fibrous packing in said mouth. and a retaining` ring pressed into said 1mouth having .a beveled face engaging the fibrous material and acting to force the same 'toward the trunnion, the arm ofthe lower yoke section also having a thimble socket provided with an enlarged mouth containing a librousmaterialand a retaining rin pressed into said mouth having a bevele face en aging the fibrous material and acting to orce .the same toward'the trunnion. In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specication.

RALPH M. LOVEJ OY. 

